Dear Friends,

I am writing asking for your support in defending the sexual assault center at McGill University. The McGill University Administration has sent an eviction notice to the Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students' Society (SACOMSS). This eviction will leave SACOMSS without its confidential, secure night office where it currently runs its help line.

More importantly, this eviction is another in a series of evictions resulting from the university administration's refusal to find permanent, adequate space for the sexual assault centre.

In addition, the university does not provide any funding or resources for this centre. The administration argues that as the centre is technically a "student service," students should bear the burden of costs for running the centre. This means
that all workers are unwaged "volunteers", and that resources including space, computer equipment and administrative supplies are entirely funded by students.

After last year's eviction SACOMMS ran a massive letter writing campaign, while the Graduate Group for Feminist Scholarship held a demonstration and amassed a major petition. These efforts led only to another one-year lease of space that has expired.

We will not stand by as our university fails (again!) to provide for the safety and support of its students.

Please stand with us and offer any assistance you can.

YOU CAN HELP OUT BY:

1. Signing the online petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/sacomss/

2. Telephoning and demanding adequate, permanent space for the sexual assault centre:

Anthony C. Masi, Provost and C.I.O., 514-398-4177

Ms. Sherry Romanado, Executive Assistant to the Principal, 514-398-3329

3. Writing a letter via email or post:

President Heather Monroe-Blum c/o: sherry.romanado@mcgill.ca

Provost Anthony C. Masi: anthony.masi@mcgill.ca

President Heather Monroe-Blum
James Administration Building, Room 506 McGill
University 845 Sherbrooke
Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3A 2T5
Canada

Office of the Provost James Administration Building,
Room 504
845 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3A 2T5
Canada

4. Spreading the word about this eviction by forwarding this information widely.

5. Sending along any research on sexual assault centres at Canadian universities or information about related past experiences that might be helpful.

More information on the centre and the eviction:

http://www.savesacomss.com/
http://www.ssmu.mcgill.ca/sacomss/

--Please forward widely--

***Source: Quebec Public Interest Research Group at McGill University***

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